Deadlifts - Straight Back Or Not?

[ExtraMile]

Iv always been told for a deadlift to keep your back flat but whenever you see powerlifters pullin heavy weight they often let it round a little. I always thought this was because on a max lift form usually goes out the window but I read that with heavy weight the best and safety way to DL is with a flat lower back but rounded at the top.

My deadlifts started to get a bit sloppy and my upper back did round a bit especially on the last few reps of a set.

So is it important to keep your back flat or can you let it round? It would make sense to let it round at the top I think, after all your spine is an S shape not a J or a |...

 

[SouthernLord]

You should try your very hardest to maintain your low back arch and chest up posture throughout the whole lift. Lumbar flexion and heavy weights usually lead to an injury.

 

[ExtraMile]

Ok bro Im not arguing with you but Im interested as to how big K gets away with form like this...

 

[SouthernLord]

Ok bro Im not arguing with you but Im interested as to how big K gets away with form like this...

wait let me find the video

I am guilty of this too bro. I am only telling you that it will lead to injury. I have been sidelined due to low back injuries directly related to letting my low back round during max pulls. Ask BK how his low back feels after a session of max pulls with a rounded back.

 

[ExtraMile]

I am guilty of this too bro. I am only telling you that it will lead to injury. I have been sidelined due to low back injuries directly related to letting my low back round during max pulls. Ask BK how his low back feels after a session of max pulls with a rounded back.

Ah ok bro so your saying keep it flat as best you can all the time although on new PR's its not always possible just do the best you can?

& check the videos above

 

[Big_BK]

Lower back kills on all heavy pulling, its doing most of the support. Personally when i am doing a pr, i do everything in my power to get it. I don't think about form i think about getting the weight from point a to point b.You either do it or you don't. Then again, this is not to say form totally goes to shit and does not matter, better form = easier lift....

 

[fortunatesun]

In the past few years the thinking on this issue has shifted somewhat due to people like Konstantinov as well as a few others.

For some people it's more natural to pull that way. This is most often seen with those pulling heavier weights.

Best advice is considered to be learning the normal way as posted above and change only when you've become proficient and feel there's a need. Limit your experiments at this stage to Sumo style.

 

[SouthernLord]

In the past few years the thinking on this issue has shifted somewhat due to people like Konstantinov as well as a few others.

For some people it's more natural to pull that way. This is most often seen with those pulling heavier weights.

Best advice is considered to be learning the normal way as posted above and change only when you've become proficient and feel there's a need. Limit your experiments at this stage to Sumo style.

So, basically......

These big guys pulling with their low backs held statically in the rounded position is a lot different than a beginer using shitty form to make a rep.

 

[fortunatesun]

So, basically......

These big guys pulling with their low backs held statically in the rounded position is a lot different than a beginer using shitty form to make a rep.

About as basically different as basic can be.

 

[b fold the truth]

It's really important to begin and finish the lift in the same position. Long arms will give the appearance of a rounded upper back, but really there is no reason to arch the upper back in the first place.

And wearing a suit can really change the mechanics of the lift too.